Conquer Club seems to have hit some turbulence - particularly in the Foundry! Long time Cartographer, Industrial Helix recently stepped down and two Foundry Assistants, nolefan5311 (replacing TaCktiX as a gameplay Foundry mod) and our very own Foundry Reporter, koontz1973 (replacing Industrial Helix as drafts Foundry mod) have stepped up to help out! Kudos and good luck to the newbies! Perhaps we'll see them in blue soon? Only time will tell! In addition, the Map Foundry Gallery was introduced at thenobodies80's site, http://www.wcforums.org. Take a look around and rate your favorite (and/or least favorite) maps! But I think it goes without saying that the biggest news in the Foundry is the news that's spread into General Discussion regarding a debacle with long time Foundry contributor and mapmaker, natty dread, who recently went on strike from the Foundry after the administrators informed him that a map similar to his new map, World XL, was being made behind the scenes, and likely to be finished before his would be. But is this the full story? Is natty's bitterness as expressed in his recent General Discussion topic, Did you know..., and elsewhere due to this recent event, or the long-felt neglect and oppression of the "second-class" mapmakers, or is it something else? Perhaps we'll find out in next issue's edition of the CC Dispatch when none other than natty dread answers your questions! Head on over to the interrogation thread here and ask your questions for natty!

In other news, Viceroy63 has for us the rundown on what Trench Warfare is like and the strategies that go with it. Now that the setting has settled in a bit, what do you think of it? Let us know by posting in the issue thread! Oh, and don't forget to get that bronze Trench Warfare medal by May 1st to get a spot in the lottery for that Conquer Cup III entry!

Now it's time for the Subscriber of the Issue! It seems to me we've got two to make up for the last issue! Our winners are (drum roll, please)...............orangenitrox (for Issue #69) and silverking8 (for Issue #70)! Just PM me your favorite quote from Andy's interview and the medal is yours!

Oh, yes, did I forget to mention we have an interrogation of our very own Community Manager, AndyDufresne? Take a look-see! Also, our Newsletter Team could use a little beefing up! We give medals out every three months to our solid contributors, so consider joining the team today! You can PM me or the Executive of the team you want to be on Lots of great stuff all around this issue - go explore!

The Clan Team is looking for a Clan Reporter to join the Clan News Team! PM Clan Executive Leehar if you're interested:

Our Section is also interested in resurrecting the Clan Spotlight feature, so if you're already an active Participant in the Active Challenges Sub-Forum, how about taking the opportunity to get a medal for reporting on the different Clan Wars in Progress?Even if you're The War Organizer or a fond patriot of your clan and are already spending the time keeping track of your personal War Progress, spend a few minutes to write a few words and share the exciting events with the rest of the Clan World with your own column in the Dispatch

The Strategy Team is also looking rather sparse! PM Strategy Executive Viceroy63 if you would like to report on the SoC Training Grounds, the Strategy forum, or just game strategies in general as a Strategy Reporter!

Do You enjoy learning about strategies and game play?Do you enjoy sharing and teaching what you know with others?Then why not join the Strategy Section of the Newsletter. Here your words count.

The Strategy Section is always looking for those few individuals willing to teach others by writing articles about well, strategy. So if you know how to play well and want to show the rest of us how it's done? Then become a Strategy Reporter today.

Want to get into the Mafia scene, but don't know how to play or even what it is? Consult these threads: Mafia Information, Mafia and You, and Rules and Terms of Mafia.Too much work? Too lazy to read through everything? No worries, you can always jump right into a game and ask for other players or the game runner to help guide you.

What is "Mafia"?Mafia, for those of you that don't know, is a game that generally takes place in a town, where the townspeople have to determine who the mafia (or "scum") is and lynch them via a majority vote during the day and the mafia try to kill everyone at night and bluff their way out of getting killed by the town.

Mafia NewsTown destroyed Mafia in Hectic Eclectic Mafia, culminating in lynching the godfather on Day 5. They were no doubt helped by the fact that the SKer won due to an alternate win condition, leaving only one nightkill each night.

With 2 mafia factions in Fire and Ice Mafia, town eventually managed to pull out the win in a LYLO position with only 3 players remaining. A very well played game all around, especially since the last townies were able to kill the last Ice Goon.

Mafia CalloutsCalling all players interested! Some mafia games need some filling:

Advanced Roles and Strategy by safariguy5A rather divine role is discussed today.

The Priest

What is It?The Priest is a role who cannot cast the lynching vote. He has no other special powers, but this role can be combined with other roles as a way to slightly weaken the other role. If the Priest's vote is stolen, it is up to the mod if that vote also has the restriction applied

ExampleThere are 7 players left, meaning it takes 4 votes to lynch. Jack is a Priest. He cannot cast the 4th vote on any person.

How to Use this RoleThe Priest is almost always Town. The main difference between the Priest and a Vanilla Townie is that the Priest has a way of proving his ability. If cast as the lynch vote, the Priest's vote should not show up on the vote count. This is generally more useful when the person under lynch pressure is most probably mafia, it would be a huge risk to town if the claimed Priest was actually a mafia player fakeclaiming to seal a mafia win in a LYLO scenario.

Q. Are you an ass or breast man?A: Who says I am a man? Oh wait, I did somewhere. Hm, I think when it comes to what I find physically attractive about women ...I'd probably have to say nice legs.

Q. Are you mad that he's making you choose?A: Luckily, I skirted the question!

Q. Do you still make your own chess pieces?A: Alabaster and soapstone, yes.

Q. Where do you see the site headed in the next few years?A: I think we'll see more Premium content, to give all our loyal Premium members some extra added value to their purchase, since it was been a while since we've had an update that had something new for Premiums.

There are some other features I am always pushing for, like 12 player games, 'Satellite Teams' (also known as 'one player "teams""), and a few other things I'd like to see available as options. I think it'll be a fun next couple of years!

Q. How long do you see yourself being an admin here at CC?A: I've asked myself this question off and on since I first became an Admin, and the answer I keep returning to is...is that as long as I am having fun, feel that I am contributing something worthwhile to website, and being an Admin fits into real life, I don't see myself going anywhere!

Q. Why Curious George instead of a picture of the Andy Dufresne?A: I've always been interested in monkeys and great apes, so I have a bit of affection for Curious George. And I think I also just have liked the idea of 'being curious,' since I am always curious about something in real life---I always find myself wanting to know "more."

Q. If forced to toss a man's salad, would you prefer to use syrup, or jelly?A: Serendipity. A couple of months ago I was bowling with some friends of mine, and one of them mentioned this since one of his co-workers recently got out of jail. I had never heard of the term, but evidently if it is here it must be more common than I thought! I guess, is the jelly jelly, or when you say jelly do you mean jam? I like grape jam, but I am not sure I would continue to like it afterwards.

Q. Does this song frequent your nightmares?

A: I've never seen or heard of this before now. Geez, thanks for this.

Q. If you could rule one of the world's great empires of yesteryear, which one would it be?A: Hm, tough question. The Ming Dynasty in China would've been interesting, since the height of some great classical Chinese poetry was occurring around that time. We'll go with that for now, but if you ask me this again sometime, it'll probably change. Haha.

Q. Chiquita or Dole?A: I think all I can find around here is Dole, so I'll to go with that.

Q. Why in CC we multiply the score by 20 and not 10 or 3,14159265?A: That's more a question for Lackattack probably, since he devised the scoring formula, and I stink at math. Learning factor trees in 6th grade was the last thing I really understood. Haha. I am still fascinated by math and all its glory, I just can't do it.

Q. What percentage of recieved criticism do you believe to be merited?A: Hm, I am not sure I can put a number or percentage on it, since any value I put feels a bit arbitrary. Let's say, the average normal percent for any job or position.

Q. Is the best rendition of this song, or is there a more worthy interpretation?A: I've heard this frequently before...I think in films and tv shows, but I've never known who it was by or thought to look it up. So I think I'm going to go with this one, since I like it, and I've always had an affinity for female vocalists and musicians.

Q. What is your favorite AC/DC song? A: When I was younger I liked AC/DC quite a lot, but I've moved away from that era mostly now I think. I am not sure what my favorite is, bought here is a good top 5 in no particular order: Back in Black, Highway to Hell, Thunderstruck, Can't Stand Still, Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap.

Q. Nirvana song? A: I never got into Nirvana or grunge, or really that much music of '80 and '90's in general.

Q. STD?No thanks, I'll pass!

Q. Do you keep yourself so anonymous to everyone on CC (mods ands users at least, not sure if you're more open to admin) because you are a very private person, or do you feel that you do your job better by not sharing/showing any of your true self?A: I think the personality I have on CC is pretty close to the personality I have in real life, though through a strange banana-colored filter. I suppose I am private when it comes to my vital statistics or other things which I think are only my business. In general, whenever I fully disconnect from CC and move onto other things, I see myself becoming a hermit. And growing a beard. In that order.

Q. How can you be so obtuse?A: What did you call me? Get 'em out, get 'em outta here!

Q. In all honesty though, why the obsession with bananas?A: I am not sure how or why it started. I think I was looking for a way to end a post one day back in 2006, and it just stuck with me ever since! In general, absurd humor is what makes me laugh the most (next is probably awkward humor). There is something absurd about keeping it up, and I love that and it makes me chuckle. Other bits of random absurd humor I am currently engaged in, or have engaged in:

* When I was younger, I once was interested in how many steps I walked in a day...but I wanted to count the steps my self and not use a pedometer. So I literally counted the steps in my head, and then for every 100 I'd mentally keep track, and then I'd make the appropriate amount of 100 tallies on my arms. Luckily I was wearing long sleeves so not too many people noticed. I think I enjoy absurd humor the most when I am the only one in on the joke...like the next one.

* Another blast from the past, I once was interested in the idea of 'being burdened' by a heavy weight, like the old saying goes. Anyways, so I remember I found like a 20 lbs. stone, put it my backpack, and lugged it around at school to each of my classes, without telling anyone that I had such thing. The whole day I made myself laugh because it was so stupid and absurd. Then after the day was finished, I went and through the rock into a river and was satisfied by the big splash.

As for some minor ongoing items...

* Pirate greetings to all new Team CCers.

* Texting strange Back to the Future lines to one of my friends who loves Michael J. Fox and the movies in general.

* One of my best friends is currently learning Indonesian, and she'll often text me or send me an e-mail with some Bahasa Indonesia in it, so I'll often reply back strange nonsensical sentences and phrases and words that I've memorized from listening to her. I think the most recent translated to something like: "I'm sorry, mosquito. I'm heartsick. Not a person for sitting."

* And lastly, before you all get more bored with these things, the above friend and I have a running joke about "growing up" and "deciding what we are going (or want) to be / do" so every day or so we'll text each other a new idea. I don't remember how it started, but we've kept it going for a long time. A couple of recent examples: "When I grow up, I'm going to be a terrible lizard," "When I grow up, I'm going to be a lightning strike," "When I grow up, I'm going to be a cloud factory," "When I grow up, I'm going to be a 4 billion year old micro-organism," "When I grow up, I'm going to hack into people's eyes," "When I grow up, I want to be an autotroph."

I have strange humor I think. Also, this is one of my favorite Office moments, with Creed. I say something like this often to one of my friends who enjoys the Office as well.

Q. Is that a banana in your pocket or are you just "happy 2 see me"?A: Correct answer, D - All of the Above.

Q. Do you ever wake up at night and think of all of the militant dictators that are being created on CC?A: I wake up at night with stuffy noses.

Q. Have you ever come close to quitting cc? What pushed you to the brink and what pulled you back?A: There have definitely been times that I have felt frustrated, but I don't think ever come that close, at least because of any CC reasons. A few years ago during a more turbulent time in my real life, I had to re-evaluate what I was putting my energy into, and CC was on that list.

Q. Are you a man, or a Muppet?Man. No, wait. Muppet. No, wait. Man-muppet?

Q. So you like Diddy or Donkey Kong better?A: Donkey Kong, but only because I've played more games with Donkey Kong probably.

Q. Do you ever wake up at night and wonder, "Why the heck am I an Admin for CC?"A: I wake up at night with stuffy noses, only.

Q. Are you one of those people who agree with Douglas Adams, "In the beginning, God created the universe. This made a lot of people very angry and was generally regarded as a bad idea." ? A: Ha, maybe the first part, but not the second. I think I am pretty strongly in the Pro-Universe camp.

Q. Do you believe Darwin in that man is an ape evolved? A: Ever since I first stumbled onto Evolution and a plethora of other sciences in grade school, I've always felt like they've described the life and universe, at least according to my narrow world-view.

Q. Ever watched the Sherlocke Holmes episode where a man injected himself with hormones and behaved like an ape? A: No. Is it on Youtube?

Q. Do you appreciate English history? A: I am a fan of history of in general. It was my minor when I was at the University...and really it was a minor that I stumbled into since I was just taking so many history courses that I found interesting. So, yes.

Q. Do you like Kiwi fruit?A: Up until, lets say 2008, I had never had a Kiwi fruit. Then one of my friends made me try it, and I did. It was alright. I think I've maybe eaten one more since then. So, let's say 2 fruits in 4 years.

Q. On another board I frequent, moderators post "official" comments in color, while they post in black if they are just commenting as a user. Do you think there would be less complaints about people on TeamCC posting in forums (especially OT) if there was a rule like that here?A: Something like that could help, yeah. I like the idea. I wonder if it would be a burden to our Volunteers to do something like this, or if it would give them a little more freedom so they could hop outside of their mod-boots? Hm, maybe I'll bring it up and get their feedback.

Q. How often do you Skype with Lack and King A? Does lack show off his baby? His wife? A: We have weekly meetings where we get a run-down of what is going on, what is coming up, etc. As for Lack's personal life, that is probably better left to an interview with him!

Q. Is there a chance that one day, you will actually remember that you logged into Live Chat?A: I've logged into Live Chat? **Forgets he's logged into Live Chat.**

Q. What makes you lose your temper?A: Not very many things, I have pretty even keel. I sometimes get mad at sports, but it is isn't a real serious mad. Hm, the only times I seriously lose my temper is when I come across discourtesy in real life.

Q. Do you think you would be better at playing if you didn't post so much in the forums?A: I think I would be better at playing if I stopped joining larger multi-player games, but it is hard to turn down invites sometimes!

Q. What would be your dream car?A: I've never been a car aficionado, so I don't think I have any idea what my ideal dream car would be. In fact, I really don't like driving, at least, when I have a particular destination or time I have to get somewhere. I like driving when I am just driving, but I don't get to do that too much. In fact, I've been thinking about not owning a car. I think I'd rather rely on public transport, walking around like Charlie Chaplin's the Tramp, or riding the rails like W.H. Davies.

Q. Are you secretly a my little pony addict?A: Wait, aren't we all?

Q. Would you say you know lackattack and king achilles better than anyone else on CC? Would you say lackattack and king achilles know you better than anyone else on CC?A: Probably yes, since they've been my co-workers since 2006/2007!

Q. Has there ever been a time when you had to intimidate someone? Has there ever been a time when you just got pissed off at someone? If yes to either, describe these instances.A: When I was younger, I use to love to get into physical fights (yeah, who knew?). Most of the fights I would get into were with older kids on the school yard, usually because I felt they were harassing one of my friends. I was a pretty scrawny kid though, but I don't think I ever backed down from any instance.

All of that was quite a while ago, though! I was talking with some of my gradeschool friends a while ago, and we decided that deep down, we all wanted to get into at least 1 more good fight, just for the heck of it. Haha. I'm much too calm and serene now though I think.

Q. What is the hardest part of your job? The easiest? What is your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?A: Hm, the hardest and least favorite part of my job is when I felt I've let someone down, such as promising an update and then having Lack's priorities shift. That stinks a lot. As for easiest and favorite, hm, I think just keeping up in the forums probably!

Q. How did the jump from Foundry Foreman to administrator occur?A: Twill, our first Community Manager, was stepping down to pursue some job opportunities and study, and that is when I first hopped in as Alpha Monkey I recall (though technically I think I was Admin and Foundry Foreman for a while before switching over to Admin fully). I think by this point, I was one of the longer tenured Volunteers, and after some discussions Lack convinced me I would be a good fit, since I wasn't so sure at beginning.

Q. If you were to take the reigns of a TeamCC department as department head instead of admin, which department would you choose and why? Would you change anything about how it's run? If so, what would you change?A: I can only see myself really fitting into 2 Depts....the Foundry obviously since that was my first passion, but I think it is running today much better than it was running my day, so I think it is best for me not to mess with it! The other Dept. I could see myself retiring into would be the Entertainment area, since I like creating and organizing events for the Community.

Q. Have you played Bloons Tower Defense 5? If not, why not?!? If it's because you've never heard of it before, try it. It's all about monkeys popping b(al)loons. It's pretty sweet.A: I have never heard of it. Is it an internet game? I don't think there any internet games, outside of CC, that I play. I've mostly always been an offline PC gamer, though I did play on an mmorpg server earlier in the 2000's.

Q. If you were Support Admin instead of Community Manager, how do you think you would run things? If king achilles were Community Manager instead of Support Admin, how do you think he would run things?A: For a while, I technically was Support Admin! I remember answering e-mails (before we had E-tickets), and then e-tickets for a long time. I don't envy King Achille's job, haha. I think King Achilles would be an interesting change of pace as a Community Manager, but I know he doesn't envy my job, haha. I suppose it's a mutual thing.

Q. What makes you saddest about Conquer Club? Angriest?A: Negativity in general, whether on Conquer Club or not. I remember I was having a conversation with my mother a few weeks ago, and she was telling me how she got frustrated while she was shopping, and then we started to talk about how if you are patient with life and don't get all stressed, things are just smoother.

Q. If you were a Mario Bros. character, which would you be? (Donkey Kong characters not allowed.)A: Whenever I played Super Smash Brothers, I was always Kirby. Does that count? If not, when I played SNES Mario Kart, I was always Toad. Or when I played on the N64, I was Wario.

Q. Why are some maps being made outside the foundry process, without community feedback? Are you planning on making the foundry irrelevant?A: I think we've mostly learned the lesson that if we do make behind-the-scenes maps, they should have a public phase of the development, a la the Classic Cities Map. I think it is safe to say the Foundry won't ever be irrelevant.

Q. What do you think Freud would say about your banana obsession?A: Let's dream-analyze it.

Q. Have you admins ever met each other in RL or video chatted? If so, what was that like? If not, what would you expect if you did?A: I have not met Lackattack or King Achilles, or any of our past Admins either. We'll see what the future holds!

Q. What's your favourite book?A: Catch 22 has always been the top of my list since I've read it. But it's so good, it kind of ruined fiction for me. For years, I've been afraid to read something else, since I enjoyed that book so much and laughed out loud at the pages.

I read a lot of poetry mostly, both newly published poetry and translations of old poetry from around the world. One of the books I've been giving out to my friends who never read poetry ever has been Heather Christle's "The Difficult Farm", as I think it is often a good introduction to newer poetry, especially for those who have avoided it because they thought it was "too dense" or "too esoteric" or whatever has been holding someone back. It is not my favorite collection, but it can make me smile and laugh.

Thanks for your time Andy!A: Thanks, it's been fun! Toodles!

Oh, and here is an obligatory banana. **Hands out bananas**

(Note to self, future title of my memoir: "The Obligatory Banana").

Issue 70 of the Strategy Section of the news letter can be considered the Trench Warfare issue of this Section. It was just two week ago that the "Trench" setting has become a reality on Conquer Club, and so while the iron is still hot, we strike.

In CC in History, we take a closer look at the sneaky, psychological and consistent mechanics of trench warfare and what we can learn from that for our own use in other games as well. It's also a very interesting history lesson. Don't miss CC in History #3, Trench Warfare by Crazy Milkshake5.

I have also been putting some thoughts to the Strategy's required and obsolete to this new setting and have committed those thoughts to writing. I may be wrong but I believe that I am the first to coin the phrase, "Slow, Gradual, Expansionism." While it has just recently been brought to my attention by one of the proponents of TW, that there are many strategies (depending on the settings) mines is an accurate one as well. Read about my ideas in, "Trench Warfare, A New Way of Thinking." By me, Viceroy63.

And of course the updated list to the SoC Academy Basic Training Games for the dates of April 1st. to the 15th. is out. Be sure to see Whom's name are there. Be there or be squared! And congratulations to all of our students for being winners.

Your goal is to eliminate the enemy, but you cant cross no mans land to get to them, because if you did your enemy would shoot you from the safety of their trenches.

Trench Warfare was a type of strategy, which if you think about it logically, it was a solid strategy, where two opposing sides would dig trenches in the ground, about 12 feet deep, and around 100-300 yards long, and fought each other.

Curious Noob wrote:So what is the strategy for trench warfare? if both sides are in the ground 12 feet, how can you shoot the enemy?

Well. When ever someone gives me a challenge, I see it as a game, and form the best strategy for that game, so that I can win. What a good "strategy" for trench warfare would be is to either, destroy the enemy's trench, morale or get their guys out of the trench.

So how would you destroy the enemy's trench?

Well that's simple, just use cannons and hit the trenches repeatably, in order to destroy the enemy's tunnels you have to get creative, or have great aim,

The trench are held up by support beams, take out the support beams, and then bombard the top with artillery and then the trench will cave in. but if you can't get the support beams, you can't get the trench itself. There are two ways you can get the support beams, by using Artillery and trying to snipe with it, or get close enough so you can chuck grenades in to destroy the beams.

[Note] What appears to be a roof structure in the back ground is actually a reinforcing beam that supports the walls of the trench and keeps them from collapsing in on itself.

Clueless Noob wrote:But how would you get close to their trench when there is no mans land in between you and the enemy?

They would dig into no-mans land, place dynamite, and collapse the tunnel that they built, usually it would take 450 men 6 hours at night to complete 250 m (275yd) of front-line trench system, then lob accordingly.

Getting The Enemy Out of the Trench

n00b wrote:How do you get the enemy out of the trench?

The main way of doing said task is by using mustard gas, a gas that is just as bad as Pepper Spray.

[Note] Gas masks were used during WWI in the battle field as a first line of defense against chemical warfare (Mustard Gas) during Trench Warfare.

Another way is that if you kept hitting one trench, and if you eventually destroy it, then you can advance into their trench and then use hand-to-hand combat, a brutal and bloody way to end trench warfare.

--------------What You Can Take Away From This--------------

There are two things that you can take away from this edition of CC in History,

First: The First point that I bring up is the point that if you keep hitting one trench, and keep weakening their defenses, you are bound to break through eventually, just don't suicide.

There is a fine line between suiciding and simply hitting a stack, if you suicide in an ass doodle, you will get Foed, period. (When someone foes you, you cannot join any games that they are in, the only thing that can change that is if they remove you as a foe.) but if you hit your targets last stack and do not auto you will end up better, and probably not be foed. But if your fast enough, and you drop next to your targets 2 regions, auto his biggest stack, and then go for the smaller, because 95% of the time, they drop on their biggest stack.

Second: This is my second point,

They would dig into no-mans land, place dynamite, and collapse the tunnel that they built, usually it would take 450 men 6 hours at night to complete 250 m (275yd) of front-line trench system, then lob accordingly.

All it is is being sneaky, if you have a stack of 50, take a 1, advance 10 to draw out your enemy, then use the last 40 to take what troops he has, but if your outnumbered 1 to 2, your pretty much screwed and should have done it sooner, lol

Thanks for tuning in to this edition of CC in history! Please feel free to send me a PM on who you would like for me to do next!

For the record and before all, I must express that no Tournament Organizers or Players of this type of setting were consulted for the writing of this article. This is simply my understanding of "Slow and Gradual Expansionism" which is how this type of game is won. At least that is the impression that I get after reading so many forum threads about Trench Warfare. Anyone wishing to correct or add further to my understanding of the following ideas and concepts is most welcomed to contact me through PM. I shall very much enjoy any and all dialog about this topic, especially if you have played or organized any TW games. I will even follow this article through with other articles as facts and figures come to my attention. Or better still, if you would like to write your own article on your strategy for TW games, it would be a privilege to post it right here in the strategy section of the Newsletter. A discussion thread also exist for this article as well and any strategy discussions that may ensue. The Link is at the bottom of the page. I would also enjoy very much being invited to any newly created threads on this topic. Thank You!

[1] I only recently learned about the new setting, “Trench Warfare.” Probably, like most of us, I assumed that it was some new World War I European map. But then like most of us, I discovered that it was a new setting on the same old maps but with a different twist to it. For those of us who are unfamiliar with this new setting, let me quickly lay it out for You. No more marching across continents and regions and conquering the world in one single turn. With this setting you can only conquer Adjacent Territories or Regions and then you can go no further on that turn. So for example on the classic map, if you conquer Moscow from Dubai, you can still conquer say Nairobi from Dubai but you can not conquer any region from Moscow on that turn as Moscow is a recently conquered region as would also be Nairobi for that turn. You must wait until the next turn to conquer from Moscow or Nairobi and again, any regions conquered from Moscow or Nairobi must then also wait until the next turn after that to be used to attack from there. Is everyone still with me so far?

[2] The setting is like for a time when armies fought and lived in trenches or dugouts and dug their way through the earth around to the enemy in order to outflank them. In their trenches they were safe from the flying bullets overhead, but the progress of the war efforts were slow and difficult. Now obviously this makes for a much longer game but it also allows for strategy and singular armies to play a more key role in the game. It also necessitates the forming of alliances. Something that in regular CC mode games is really not a desirable option because the game goes by so quickly (in the majority of the games) that no sooner is an alliance formed that the opportunity to take advantage of it by breaking the newly form alliance arrives. So why even bother? It even makes one appear like their word is no good. “Man, you make an alliance with me, only to break it?” But in TW, an early alliance can make all the difference if done correctly and last for a while or even till the end of the game if the alliance works well together. At least I am of that opinion.

[3] Now why am I of the opinion that alliances need to be formed in order to gain the advantage? Because the simple fact that there are no sweeping attacks mean that the world has to be conquered systematically by way of slow expansionism. There simply is no other way. Consider for example the strategy of the stack. This strategy works because like a spring uncoils and jumps forward, so is the potential energy that is stored in the stack, that is ready to spring forward in the assault. The potential power to eliminate another player is contained within the concentration of troops in that stack. But when the stacks can not jump then there is no advantage in the diverse stacks in different parts of the game map. In other words the single (1) standing army is now the objective to achieve, and not the different stacks.

[4] The stacks are now delegated to the position of a standing army in that Zone on TW games. It can not effect another zone or jump to another zone but must move around within it's adjacent regions one region at a time per turn. Since the standing army can only effect a zone more effectively than a stack (from a non TW game), because a stack no longer has any say in the matter because it no longer exist with the potential power that it does in a regular CC game map, then a strong standing army is what is required for the control of a zone. Imaging if you would, two players each using the different strategies just outlined. player “A” has three stacks of 10 troops in each stack in different parts of the game map and player “B” has just one standing army of 30 troops anywhere on the map. Let's say North America. Both have the same number of troops only in different uses. But the stacks can no longer effect the standing army in NA. Unless one of those stacks exist already in North America.

[5] Now obviously the standing army in North America commands more control in the NA zone, in a TW game, than any of the other stacks. None of the stacks can successfully stand against or even reach the standing NA army. At least not in the same turn. The three stacks must all be combined into one standing army in order to Challenge the standing army in North America. So it is this kind of warfare between singular armies rather then correctly position stacks waiting to just jump into the game play, that is the order of the day. Also the standing army can gradually progress forward leaving a secured zone behind. Since it has an ally guarding it's other border(s). This means that instead of several stacks vying for survival throughout the game map, you then have just one combined army (of 3 stacks in one), achieving the same objective, the security of the zone and the expansion of the borders. Many may not accept this new pattern for play but if slow expansionism is the way to win then this is how game play must proceed for greater success.

[6] Understanding this principle that the strategy of strong standing armies is the goal and not the stacks is why alliances then become a necessity. When you have to fight on all borders then you tend to distribute your troops more liberally because you are trying to hold on to all of your borders. But when one of your bordering sides is protected by an ally and naturally you are protecting your Allied border as well, then you can concentrate the distribution of your troops in a smaller area or region thus forming your standing army more easily. And this is why Alliances become a necessity in these types of game settings. If you try to do it alone then the game becomes that much more arduous and grueling with only minimal progress being made per turn as you play for Spoils in hope of receiving that timely right spoil which never comes because all the sets of spoils are timely in TW games. The player who establishes and maintains a standing army in their zones however, will eventually stand better then those who have only “stacks” here and there and everywhere.

[7] And so then this brings me to another thought. If slow and certain expansionism is the way to win, as it is in TW games, then does it not make sense to concentrate all of your attention into a single zone and expand outwardly from there? Or does having stacks spread throughout the game map offer any real assistance in conquering the world? In other words, on the one hand you are trying to just grab a slice of pizza on the run and on the other hand you are trying for the whole pizza pie on the run? It seems to me that grabbing a slice on the run is more of a doable option than trying to grab the whole Pizza Pie. And so is concentrating all of your efforts into a single zone more doable then having stacks all over the game map that are all eventually subject to attacks by different players during the course of the game, especially when the spoils get high enough. It has to be easier to maintain a single standing army in a zone rather then build up stacks all over the place. The single standing army will greatly benefit from all of your undivided attention where as your stacks will not.

[8] Here again we see where the need for an early alliance comes into play. Say you are going to concentrate in North America on the classic map. And so you set about concentrating and dropping and attacking solely in North America allowing all of your other troops throughout the rest of the world to face defeat and shame at the hands of other armies in those zones. Now at the same time another player is concentrating his efforts in Europe for example. Doing the same as you are and building a strong standing army in Europe at the cost of all of his other troops else where on the game map. Does it not make sense then that if North America and Europe form an Alliance that the border of Montreal and Reykjavic need not be built upon thus allowing the North American standing army to concentrate to the West and to the South. Similarly the European standing army can also concentrate to the East and to the South? Because neither player need to concern themselves with the North American/European border, then both standing armies could concentrate their war efforts to the trenches at hand and thus expand each one in their different, other directions.

[9] But some may ask? “Shouldn't one wait to see how the others are developed before allying yourself to anyone?” I say, “No!” The whole point of an alliance is to make it easier to develop in the first place. The sooner that alliances are made the sooner that the players can begin to benefit from those alliances. It matters not even if both armies are in the same zone, say in Asia. If in the early rounds an alliance is formed then one can develop to the East while the other develops to the West both covering each others borders making it easier to develop both armies and thus expand outward from there. Even the possibility of carding off of each can exist between Allies that are not attempting to take each others regions but simply carding out of necessity.

[10] Again I state that those who can form early alliances with other players, will have an advantage over those who do not. In the end, an early alliance can only; Promote stability in the regions; Create the possible card spot for those difficult situation or should troops become depleted; Assure protection to the borders of both players; Allow for the concentration of fire power in order to expand in other directions and; Most definitely gain the troop advantage over other players who are not allied to any other players in the game themselves. With so many Benefits and advantages to an early alliance, how can anyone possibly reject the idea right off hand? True that eventually alliances must be broken But I personally would rather enjoy the greater chance of making it to the number two position because I allied myself to another player, rather then face an early elimination from the game. And breaking the alliance is all in the timing, but that is for another article. Those who choose to go it alone will face just that in view of a superior standing army. An Early Elimination.

[11] Two thoughts that need to be addressed however:One is that escalating spoils is the setting that should be used in these types of Trench Warfare games, unless you want your games to last an eternity. The escalating spoils then mean that eventually the bonus zones are not what you are trying to gain or control but a certain area or space for your standing army to grow and flourish in. This means the removal of others in your zone or area as quickly as possible becomes a priority before the spoils get really high and any stacks still in your area of even perhaps three troops could become a potential threat to your standing army in your zone. But as pointed out to me in conversation by Dhallmeyer; Escalating and Freestyle do not make a good combination for the most fairest of games as most people can not take full advantage of this and those who can will. I see now that the most fairest game setting would be Sequential with flat rate. A No spoils setting would tend to give the advantage to those who own the bonus regions and again, but it may not take forever to finish the game. And to me personally, Nuclear doesn't fit well with the theme of the setting either. Also, it would be best to put a round limit on these games as they will just tend to go on for ever otherwise.

[12] Two is that you will always encounter players who still play by the strategy of the “Stacks.” Given the opportunity to move a stack into your low populated zone will be enticing to them. But eventually this is what it comes down to. The fight for your zone or area. They must then either adapt to the new way of playing and face the eliminations of their stacks by all of their neighboring players or resign and retreat from your standing army in the zone. If you think about it, to invest troops into stacks only to lose the stacks is not logical. When the spoils get high enough the process of eliminating the stacks will commence. And with the elimination of the stacks could also come the elimination of players. So the very strategy of stacks is what could lead to your own elimination. But the player with a standing army in a zone under his control will then be able to march that standing army into battle later on in the game. After all these games will not be determined by the stacks or how many stacks, but by the sheer force of the standing armies that are left.

[13] So in summing this article up; The new way of thinking in Trench Warfare is the singular standing army and how best to build and to maintain it. You can not play this type of setting with the old style strategies and game play. A whole new book of strategy and game play must be written for TW games. The idea of building up stacks in diverse parts of the game map is no longer a functional concept but a dysfunctional one bound to bring disaster as the individual stacks are attacked by different players and disappear during the progression of the game as the spoils increase. The strategy of the stack could even lead to the elimination of players when the spoils get high enough. The building and maintaining of one standing army in the zone and later on, another second standing army as the need arises in order to expand into other zones thus allowing for the maximum fire power possible is, in my opinion, the way to go in these types of games. Expansionism can only come from a force that's within and that force is the singular standing army and not the strategically placed stacks all over the map that have little or no power in the face of a superior standing army. Those who commit to playing this type of setting with the old rule book are bound to learn a hard lesson in defeat.

These Games were won by SoC Students in the month of April from the 1st. until the 15th. of April. Instructors are not included in this list. We want to acknowledge those individuals who are learning how to play well instead. And not just learning well but are also participating in the SoC Training Program.

Congratulations to all of our SoC Winners. And all of our students are winners.

Hello again my friends, and welcome to your favorite part of the Newsletter, "War Games", where you can find information about CC Tournaments!

In this issue, DaveH brings us another installment of his Tournament Tips, WorldCup4James interviews dtellis, and I have written Join This? Or Not! to cover for that absent-minded scallywag NoSurvivors. Meanwhile, Fuzzy316 has been putting in some overtime at work, but in lieu of an article he leaves us with a chuckle:

After many years, Cinderella finally reached the ripe age of 95 years old.

After a fulfilling life with the now dead prince, she now happily sits upon her rocking chair, watching the world go by from her front porch, with a cat named Bob for companionship. One sunny afternoon out of nowhere, appeared the fairy godmother.

Cinderella says, "Fairy Godmother, what are you doing here after all these years"?

The fairy godmother replied, "Cinderella, you have lived an exemplary life since I last saw you. I'm prepared to grant you three wishes. Is there anything for which your heart still yearns?" Cinderella was taken back, overjoyed, and after some thoughtful consideration, she uttered her first wish:

"The prince was wonderful, but not much of an investor. I'm living hand to mouth on my disability checks, and I wish I were wealthy beyond comprehension. Instantly her rocking chair turned into solid gold. Cinderella said, "Ooh, thank you, Fairy Godmother"

"It is the least that I can do," replies her Fairy Godmother. "What do you want for your second wish?"

Cinderella looked down at her frail body, and said, "I wish I were young and full of the beauty and youth I once had."

At once, her wish became reality, and her beautiful young visage returned. Cinderella felt stirrings inside of her that had been dormant for years.

And then the fairy godmother spoke once more: "You have one more wish; what shall it be?"

Cinderella looks over to the frightened cat in the corner and says, "I wish for you to transform Bob, my old cat, into a kind and handsome young man."

Magically, Bob suddenly underwent so fundamental a change in his biological make-up that, when he stood before her, he was a man so beautiful the likes of him neither she nor the world had ever seen.

"Congratulations, Cinderella, enjoy your new life!" And with a blazing shock of bright blue electricity, the Fairy Godmother was gone as suddenly as she appeared.

For a few eerie moments, Bob and Cinderella looked into each other's eyes. Cinderella sat, breathless, gazing at the most beautiful, stunningly perfect man she had ever seen.

Then Bob walked over to Cinderella, who sat transfixed in her rocking chair, and held her close in his young muscular arms.

He leaned in close, blowing her golden hair with his warm breath as he whispered...

In issue #60 I suggested an Excel spreadsheet for automatically creating the TO tag as follows:Column B is the randomised player list and column C the RAND(0) function which was used to randomise the player list (and has changed its values once again!). The password is in D2.

The code for the second players has a 2 in place of the 1 to designate Team 2.

To invite the players you then copy across the two Team 1 players and paste into the address box (remembering to put a carriage return after the first player's name bedore uploading the names). You then copy the corresponding code in column T as part of the message - remember also that you can include an automated message as suggested in issue #60 by modifying the code slightly. The same process applies to all the other sets of players.

If your tournament has 3, 4 or more players per team, simply insert additional rows and copy down the code, changing the team numbers as required.

Next time I'll suggest a few ways of keeping track of team games which may have various types of results scoring.

(These "tips" are ones that I have tried to make it a bit easier in managing my own tournaments. I am sure there are different and better methods than these, so please let me know. Any queries on the above I'll be glad to respond to!)

dtellis has managed to claim victory in Bart's 100th Tourney, an arduous 30-month ordeal and test of extreme consistency. The tournament challenges competitors in 1v1, Standard, and Doubles games across nine strenuous rounds.

dtellis has collected 14 tournament victories and maintains a 54% winning percentage across 2500 games. He's also contributed to multiple victories on behalf of the Generation One clan.

Read along for another great perspective on Conquer Club, from another seasoned tournament winner.

Bart's 100th Tourney was a massive tournament with over 200 players, and it continued for...my goodness...over two years! What enabled you to claim victory in such a long tournament?

For a tourney like this where there are eliminations, it was really helpful to get off to a good start. I made the finals in round 1, which put me in position to not have to worry about elimination and then just kept adding to my point total. In this type of tournament, getting points everywhere you can is critical. It is really an endurance test. It also helps to have some luck, which is always necessary to win a tournament, especially a large one.

What game mode do you most enjoy? After more than four years at CC, do you think all the new maps and features available are beneficial (like the new Trench setting)? Or do you enjoy traditional Classic games?

I tend to stay more to the traditional settings, but will try anything. When I first started playing, I could learn all of the maps. With so many new maps coming out, I haven't been able to keep up with all the new changes, so I generally stick to the more standard gameplay maps. I do think the diversity on the site is generally good, to offer more options to the players. Everyone can choose their preferences and find others who share their choices within the community.

If you were stranded on an island and were forced to win one game to escape and avoid sacrifice by the native tribe, what map and settings would you take your chances with?

WWII Gazala, Escalating, Chained, Fog.

Do you play any sports?

I coach my kids' soccer and baseball teams. I also play adult pick up indoor soccer weekly and pick up adult baseball weekly throughout the summer.

Ouch! I referee soccer, so we must be defacto enemies!

I try not to give the referees a hard time. I don't figure it is a good example to the kids I am coaching. Most are pretty good, but the ones that bother me are those who don't move with the play and then make calls out of position. Generally most are good though.

Glad that you're not the type getting ejected from every match!

What's your favorite music to jam to?

I prefer classic rock from the 70's and 80's.

You're a member of the Generation One clan. Enlighten those who aren't in a clan on what it's like.

The best part of being in a clan is the community it provides. It gives an opportunity to meet players who have similar interests and attitudes toward CC. I play for fun and that is the value of the people in our clan. It also provides the opportunity to participate in clan challenges and to have regular partners for team games. Our clan also runs some in-clan challenges that are fun because you develop more of a relationship to those with whom you are playing. I have played a lot more team games since I joined Generation One, and it has made the CC experience a lot more enjoyable.

If you're craving tourney action now, check out the Requests for Immediate Players section of the tournament forum. You can be playing very quickly after signing up as a reserve.

Hello folks. Don't listen to anyone else, this is the reason you read the newsletter! Lots happening in the foundry at the moment and our diligent and beloved koontz1973 brings us the News and What's Where. And congrats koontz1973 for stepping up as a Foundry Assistant in the Drafting Room. You've hit CC like a storm! Flapcake interviews Oneyed and I write about the "Oh" in Hippo (we'll I'd know wouldn't I!!) And for all you literary buffs, this by Lord John E. E. Dalberg-Acton:

For every complex problem, there is a simple solution. . . and it is wrong.

A few tit bits for you this week.Maps.Kabanellas, it seems was not happy with Kings Court. Welcome Kings Court 2. Bigger=better in some cases.

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Congrats to Flapcake. Denmark has been quenched. natty is backLast issue brought you the news that natty dread has binned all of his maps in protest, including his North America revamp and the two highly anticipated Eurasia maps. Well the good news is that he has reconsidered his stand and will allow us to play them as soon as they hit beta.

Bye bye Industrial Helix.IH came back to the foundry a while ago now (almost two years) and in that time, he has looked after the drafting room splendidly. Giving advice and comments that where not always wanted but always sound advice. Sorry to see you go but it has let in two new guys.

Welcome nolefan5311 & koontz1973nolefan is going to be in the main part of the foundry helping out iancanton with gameplay analysis. koontz1973 is taking over helix's role in the drafting room. Both are only training and foundry assistants so go easy on us and try not to give us too much grief.

Drafting RoomUnification by koontz1973 brings the story of the treaty of Trianon to the site. A little known byproduct of the first world war.Flapcake wants gold. A mega lump of gold that is.chaos32679 brings us Hannibal: Trebia 218 BC. Looks interesting.sempaispellcheck tries to bring the city of love for amour to us. Early times yet for this one.Gillipig is having a second go at map making. Lets hope this proves a better subject than math and he stays around long enough to finish this one.Main FoundryPot Mosbi by cairnswk.Jarkata by koontz1973Struggle for Oil: Central Asia 2020 by pamoa, The foundries own RedBaron0 is fighting away to get Philadelphia done. We could al do with some more unique maps like this.Czech Slovak break up by oneyed is in the main foundry now.Clash of Kings by DiM is looking for game play nuances to be ironed out in what looks like to be the first true 1v1 map for the site.Final ForgeThis section is getting a little busy with a lot of maps ready for play. With the 10 maps in beta play we have 8 maps waiting to get going.With xml stamps.1982 by koontz1973.Eurasias by natty dread.Waiting for the xml.Knights and Warlocks by DiM.Trench Warfair by FlapcakeDark Continent by The Bison KingNorth America revamp by natty dread.

Oneyedentered the foundry at 100 MPH - he has 3 maps currently in the foundry: Fragmentation of CSFR, Gentle Revolution and Punic Wars.Fragmentation of CSFR has received a game play stamp and, in full speed, is headed for a blue graphic stamp. Gentle Revolution is currently being worked on in the drafting room and could any time now be stamped with a red "Draft" stamp.Punic Wars is on the drawingboard as an idea and is currently taking comments.I have asked Oneyed what his maps are about and how the process in the foundry has influenced or affected him in developing his maps.

Flapcake: Was it purely spontaneous that you came up with the idea to make this map, or does it have a deeper meaning for you? I am thinking about Fragmentation of CSFR and Gentle Revolution.Oneyed: Its about history- and then become others things - area, time period. I did not found any maps about CzechoSlovakia or something from its history. so this was my first idea - to bring people something from my country.

Flapcake:You Joined CC on Sat Dec 10, 2011 and already on Tue Dec 27, 2011 you posted your first map draft! Did you find it more your, let's say, your "calling" to try to make a map rather than just play on them ? Or, to put it another way, what was the main reason that you joined CC in the first place?Oneyed: I got to know CC from my cousin. when I look around I found CC as an interesting site and I thought that I could bring something new here..

Flapcake: Can you describe how the foundry received your first draft ?Oneyed: uf. a little bespoke? but I did not knew the "atmosphere" here, so maybe I waited more zealous...?

Flapcake: Your map Fragmentation of CSFR is in a stage where you are, lets' say, half way there. Do you think it has been to hard to reach this point?Oneyed:no. It takes only too much times...

Flapcake: A lot has happened with your map Fragmentation of CSFR from it's first draft to your current verision. What changes do you think have been the biggest?Oneyed: To learn everythingabout graphics, gameplay, bonuses...

Flapcake: What has been the most difficult part?Oneyed: Graphics.Flapcake: Getting the graphics to fit the gameplay or?Oneyed:I mean to learn new things in GIMP, to understand what are CC standarts...

Flapcake:Can you currently say that you have the courage to do more maps in the future?Oneyed:Yes, But there must be more interest and help from blue guys or skilled members...Flapcake:Do you think there is a lack of interest in general to the foundry ?Oneyed: Sometimes yes. I understand that everybody has its own life, but I am stunned that it was no reaction on Punic Wars for long time, as example...

Flapcake:What advice would you give to new gamers with thoughts of making a map?Oneyed:I am too new here for giving any advices. maybe believe to your idea...

Oneyed:By the way this month I will become a father (the first time), so progress with my maps will be a little slow,

Thanks to Oneyed for this insight in his work so far and his honest answers as well! I would like to encourage you all to visit not only his map threads, but the foundry in general and let's hear your comments.

The overall effect of a map, whether it just works or not, is dependent on the graphical elements matching its theme. We all know what that means, but try and boil that down to an easy workable formula? Not on your Nelly! But when you see it – you feel it and you know it. There’s been much bleating about the need for quality maps. Well, my grateful audience, put this issue at the top of your list. Is it a deal breaker? Probably not but, IMHO, it does make the maps more enjoyable. So here’s my subjective observations:

Maps that glow

Some maps just hit it on every level. My first example is Treasures of the Galapogas:

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The first striking thing about this map is it’s colour. It’s evocative of the deep blue ocean on a summer’s day. The sort of day you’d go snorkelling, swimming, sailing, hunting for animals and walking on islands. That works well because the game involves all of those activities. And doesn’t seawater make you thirsty? That’s why fresh water is such a powerful commodity. Interesting that: as that’s the key to winning the game! My second example is Conquer Man:

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I loved Pacman and played it frequently on the big upright machines at the local pinball parlour. I used to ride my bike all over town, collecting milk bottles and trading them in for cash at the local dairy. I’d make about $2 a day and that’d be plenty (20 cents a game) to get me into all sorts of trouble. I’d be late home for dinner and once my dad tracked me down and kicked my ... but I digress! Looking at this map draws you in like you are at the parlour, playing the game. It’s the first screen and you know you can ace it, but some kid keeps yapping at you and you have to trade turns with someone that is as good as you at cracking the high score! The animated characters and diamonds coupled with well thought out game play makes this map zing. My next example is Circvs Maximvs:

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You can literally hear the roar! Feeling the thrill as your horse drags your chariot round and round until you’re giddy and fall out ... or not. The dusty track is getting in your eyes. Someone's clobbering you on the back of the head. Shall we go left or right or head down the middle? There’s nowhere to hide. Bang on is all I can say. My last example is Canada:

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Given that Canada is on top of the world, and SOOOO big that you have to step so far back that you can see the curvature of the world, this perspective is just brilliant. Admittedly there’s no moose, no horse riding policemen, no beavers and not a single Frenchman anywhere, you still know it’s Canada! Even the colours for the regions are cleverly chosen and are evocative of the local political flavour. That’s important when you want to dominate a country!

Maps that make you go, whoa!

My first example here is Malta:

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Malta is an amazing country with a rich history. It’s been invaded so many times it’s ridiculous! It’s full of rocks, cliffs, tunnels, towns and lot’s of local flavour. You can even do a Dip Dip there (Diploma in Diplomacy) which has a ironic sense of taste. And, without meaning to be mean, it’s pretty monochromatic (check out a few pictures on Google). But where is any of this represented on the map? Where are the points of interest? Why the garish colours? It’s a great map to play, but it’s not Malta! My next example is Age of Steam: Transsib 1914: Tran-Siberian Rail:

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The clamour, the smell, the crowd’s, lugging, chugging, exhausting and altogether thrilling. The Age of Steam was a modern marvel. The world appeared brighter, bigger, closer. Anyone not on the railway was a looser and backward. Real estate was worth more, trade grew and people could finally go and see their parents (get their clothes washed, tap the olds for some dosh and cry about that one that got away!). None of this, IMHO, appears on this map for me. Lot’s of ideas, but where’s the follow through? My nextexample is The Northwest Passage:

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The real Northwestern Passage is evocative of adventure and mystery. Of ships and storms. Crashing waves and hunger and the odd bear thrown in for good measure. The map maker hits the basics stuff like water and a passage. But really? There’s too much land, too little sea and frankly where are the interesting bits? My last example is Ireland:

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Ireland is the most colourful country on the planet! Figuratively and literally. It’s where rainbows come from, for goodness sake. You can kiss the Blarney Stone, play with Leprechauns, chant limericks in Limerick, down a Guinness, walk by the Liffey or make a bundle on fibre-optic bundling from European Euro investment money (and then blow it all on Guinness for yourself and 300 of your new best mates!). Sorry, but this map fails for me in the verisimilitude department!!

Get it right or don’t get a fright when the punter’s don’t bite

So, hopefully with these examples you get what I mean. Developers of maps need to keep these considerations in mind if their maps are to be popular. So, what do you think about the following maps currently in development:

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Yes?

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Yes?

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No?

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No?

Well, you decide! So let's get real people!!

The Dispatch is glad to announce the success of it's callout for CC3 Bracket Predictions as we achieved over 120 predictions. IcePack breaks them down for us to see the stats on the major predictions for the top 8 onward. Check them out to see if you were one of those with personal Clan Bias or really did have an Objective Viewpoint, at http://challonge.com/concup3/predictions

First up however is an exciting Feature as alt1978 takes time from his CD duties to document the Rise and Fall of the Elite Thota! It seems that Tofu are looking to emulate their ascent by collecting an All-Star Line-up themselves. If you haven't been demolished by at least someone in their Roster just yet, you really haven't been playing CC long!

We also take a quick look at the Draw for the CL4 Divisional Cups, Sign-ups for the ICL and the submissions of the aforementioned CC3 Bracket Predictions!

Our Section is also interested in resurrecting the Clan Spotlight feature, so if you're already an active Participant in the Active Challenges Sub-Forum, how about taking the opportunity to get a medal for reporting on the different Clan Wars in Progress?Even if you're The War Organizer or a fond patriot of your clan and are already spending the time keeping track of your personal War Progress, spend a few minutes to write a few words and share the exciting events with the rest of the Clan World with your own column in the Dispatch

The Horseman of the Apocalypse Retire from Clan Wars towards more Social PasturesThe saddles have been hung along the wall of the barn. The battle axes shined and polished one last time…this time not for battle but to rest in the trophy cases next to the platitude of scalps and clan war medals. Brushed and fed, the horses are free to graze leisurely now, no longer preparing for war. The Horsemen, the founding fathers of clan scene as we know it today, have went into retirement.In 1959, led by Bill Russell the Boston Celtics started a run of dominance that would redefine the game of basketball. The Celtics rolled off 8 straight titles and in the process, elevated the level of play in the league and set the stage for the modern era of basketball to sweep in. THOTA is CC’s Boston Celtics! When THOTA came onto the scene in the summer of 2007, there were no privileges, hell for that matter, not even wars as we know them today. Blitzaholic, David_Wain, AndrewB and THOTA spent the early days drumming up dubs and trips tournaments to take place between clans to develop a kind of torch that could be held until the next set of games was created. Games and results were posted in the recruiting thread, along with flames that would fill up pages of modern day C&A reports.

An early exchange between David Wain and Incandenza (mild in comparison to a lot of the posts…but interesting because Inca would later come to join the “pony-boys” as he refers to them here)

Kyle u look ur age imo. Most people say I look 25 and I'm 42 shows people don't have a clue.

So before you go to prague, could you tell johnny not to be such a fucking pussy and at least respond to my challenge? Sultan and I have been damn patient, but your pony-boy brethren have been very slow in getting back to us.

An early post trying to drum up support to participate in the tournaments, with an early detractor voicing protest to elitism:

Fircoal wrote:

David_Wain wrote:WAKE UP ALL IN CC LAND, some new horsemen are in town and we gathered together for 1 purpose:

to squeeze the pathetic life right out of you! ALL you dead beat clans and wanna-bees listen the f*ck up-it is time we bring the terror down into your little world and riddle your gutless spines with FEAR.

Prepare for you eyes to be cut out, your flesh to be eaten, for us to piss in your dead skulls, steal your souls and bankrupt your spirits.

We are accepting some applications for a select few if you want to pm one of us, do so, if not say your goodbyes, meet your DOOM and become worm food.

We will not accept any challenges from maggots under 1600, however all other challenges welcome. We will also be featuring CLAN TOURNAMENTS, 1 per month. Stay tuned for more info. IF you win you will be CC World Champions and will remain that way until someone can debunk whoever wins!

You're a pathetic clan. If you think you're so good. Then why resist challenges from people under 1600. Afraid to lose your points.

The evolution of the war as we know it can begin to be seen in THOTA’s war with the Bushwackers. Blitz posted:

Blitzaholic wrote:also as far as clan tourneys, hopefully this can work out somehow, I am sure ak_iceman can create something fair with a variety of diversity of maps and game styles so the horsemen can play the bushwackers sometime in august.

my thoughts were 21 different maps of trips all sequential7 games of escalating, adjacent7 games of flat rate, unlimited7 games of no cards chained

the clan with 11 wins are trips clan champions, defend once a month or every other month

then 21 games of dubs all sequential7 games of escalating, adjacent7 games of flat rate, unlimited7 games of no cards, chained

the clan win 11 wins are doubles clan champions, defend once a month or every other month

this is just to be in good fun and have strong competition. we all have a lot of respect for the bush wackers skill in team games, i know i do, so we just want some fight and fun, lol, friendly banter

we are all open to ideas or suggestions of these tourneys, this is just my idea in blue of what i was thinking, you all open to this some time in august? please post comments in here so we can make this happen. I thought this was the fairest way to do it, and that there is 42 maps and 21 trips and 21 dubs, with all the different variety to demonstrate and show skill in all game styles and thought this would be the most impartial, and we can all learn form each other to enhance our gaming experiences.

note: the BW's have a ton of more team play experience with playing with one another as partners, most of our clan is still new to each other, so we may have our hands full here, but should be fun.

THOTA would go on to beat the highly touted Bushwackers and showed that a collection of all-star players could dominate a set of team games. It was controversial at the time, but to even receive consideration to apply, there was a 2000 point minimum. THOTA wouldn’t even play a doubles pick up game against anyone with less than 1600 points. The stigma of THOTA being elite was born, and they wore that criticism as a badge of honor. The end result however was an incredible escalation in the level of play in the clan world. THOTA was Bill Russell and Celtics, fiercely defending their title and intimidating and dominating the opposition along the way. They knocked off Legends of War (before some of LOW split off to form The Odd Fellows Union) and The Spanking Monkeys. Both clans were considered number 1 contenders at the time. There was a laundry list of players that tried to entered the “hallowed halls” of the THOTA stables, and each one of those rejections found other clans…landed there, and proceeded to work tirelessly to unseat the THOTA empire.

THOTA would go on to win the First Clan League and knock off challenger after challenger, until the finals of the 1st CC Cup. The magical run of undefeated greatness ended in a hard fought loss to the Knights of the Round Table. In the final four of the 2nd CC Cup, THOTA and The Spanking Monkeys squared off in a rematch of their epic battle for a shot at KORT in the finals. In a tiebreaker, the Monkeys prevailed bringing an end to an era. KORT would go on to win the 2nd CC Cup and plant the seeds of a claim to herald the start of a new dynasty.

However it is unlikely that any future dynasty will ever rule the clan world for as long and as elitely as THOTA did from 2007 until 2011. Their undefeated run against the very best of the clan scene will be difficult to top, and they will always have the distinction of being CC's original clan scene founding dynasty. Not all dynasty's are loved by everyone...THOTA certainly fits that bill. Their contribution to the clan scene however is undeniable.

It's too early to tell if there will be a second coming of the horsemen. Bill Russel and the Celtics won two more titles after being unseated by Wilt Chamberlain & company. Maybe those saddles will be brushed off and rode into battle one more time, but for now they are going to take a well deserved rest as THOTA goes social.

With Phase 2 rollicking along smoothly, the participants of CL4 took a break this last week, to decide the first rounds for the Divisional Cups with a Random drawing in Live Chat with the VIP representatives available at the time (Razorvich, Leehar, Swifte and Chariot Of Fire drawing the lots to decide the competing teams. In a surprising turn of events to show the vagaries of Random in even this non-dice related function, Imperial Assassin member Swifte and Tofu leader Chariot, drew their own clans to meet first up, and Empire member Leehar joined just in time for his clan to be selected to play Imperial Dragoons.There was a moment of tense atmosphere as PR was drawn in quick succession to TFFS, but the Adjudicator DJ Teflon was able to solve the issue speedily with the assistance of the Chat logs, to ensure that VDLL was correctly placed against TFFS.After Razorvich joined the Ceremony, for the Third Cup Draw (But fortunately drawing LHDD instead of his own AKA), the drawings continued seamlessly and proceedings were undisturbed in compiling the complete Match-ups below:

FIRST ROUND DRAW

The Clan League Cup

IA v TOFUAOC v KORT

EMP v IDTSM v PACK

The Clan League Trophy

WAR v OTPVDLL v TFFS

PIG v MYTHOSA v DYN

The Clan League Shield

LHDD v HHAKA v FOED

MD v GRKOA v BoFM

The Clan League Vase

TNC v DBCSOH v TLW

DB v LOTZ1RFG v MB

With Semi's and Finals being decided on the basis of the below Bracket

A format familiar to many American Sports Followers has finally found it's way into the Clan Section of CCThe ICL is a sport based Clan League in which teams will compete in a series of games vs divisional, conference, and inter-conference sets. The season will last approximately 4 months, June-September.A season schedule will be made available and released before the opening of the season to assist in team game planning. The ICL will conform to the one clan rule.With 24 clans already registered, the organizers are hopeful that with at least 5 Semi-Committed clans, we could very well reach the desired 30 mark for the competition so that the following format can be implemented

30 teams: 2 conferences with 3 divisions each. 5 teams per division.A home and away set against clans in the other conference (30 sets).2 home and 1 away / 1 home and 2 away (alternating each season) other divisions in the conference (30 sets)2 home and 2 away against other teams on your own division (16).Total of 76 sets.Playoffs: Each division leader (6) and two wild cards for each conference (4). Top teams first round byes.

While Conquer Cup Champions Kort was regretful of being denied one of their favourite settings in the form of Unlimited Reinforcements, Other Clan League Phase 1 stalwarts Empire, Tofu, AoC and Afos were eager to try out this exciting League Format with Divisional Cup Contestant ID also joining into the Action after some concerns over Participatory interests. And of course we can't forget CC2 Quarter-Finalist Foed as the first Entrants.

If you or your clan still want to join, there's still time to do so in the Official ICL Thread!

DaveH, nice job on the tournament tips. I love Excel and I love tournaments and I may be falling in love with you too...

Really though, great advice for Excel users running tournaments. I will definitely use some of that for my tournaments. One thing I so as well, it to have one worksheet be a player list and another worksheet use the first to populate given cells withe players. It's especially handy for me in my terminator robin tournaments that are setup up in a windmill style of tournament.

And FYI, I still vehemently disagree with your single stack solution for Trench Warfare Vice

Seems to me that strong stacks placed in strategic positions can be decisive. Although I still am strugling to work out the best strategy on the Classic map, otherwise my best map. So I think I to some extent aghree with you there, Leehar.

The Old General(who I guess is too old to learn new strategy )

Atom1: I've lost my electrons! Atom2: Are you sure? Atom1: Yes I'm positiveTODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

And FYI, I still vehemently disagree with your single stack solution for Trench Warfare Vice

Seems to me that strong stacks placed in strategic positions can be decisive. Although I still am strugling to work out the best strategy on the Classic map, otherwise my best map. So I think I to some extent aghree with you there, Leehar.

The Old General(who I guess is too old to learn new strategy )

Exactly, since being stuck with 1 stack in 1 place, will essentially limit your mobility so much more. If you can only take 1 terr. at a time, how the hell are you going to traverse the whole map to get a kill etc?I suppose we should continue this discussion in the dedicated topic tho

And FYI, I still vehemently disagree with your single stack solution for Trench Warfare Vice

Seems to me that strong stacks placed in strategic positions can be decisive. Although I still am strugling to work out the best strategy on the Classic map, otherwise my best map. So I think I to some extent aghree with you there, Leehar.